Hot electrons in water: injection and ponderomotive acceleration by means of plasmonic nanoelectrodes.

ABSTRACT: We present a theoretical and experimental study of a plasmonic nanoelectrode architecture that is able to inject bunches of hot electrons into an aqueous environment. In this approach, electrons are accelerated in water by ponderomotive forces up to energies capable of exciting or ionizing water molecules. This ability is enabled by the nanoelectrode structure (extruding out of a metal baseplate), which allows for the production of an intense plasmonic hot spot at the apex of the structure while maintaining the electrical connection to a virtually unlimited charge reservoir. The electron injection is experimentally monitored by recording the current transmitted through the water medium, whereas the electron acceleration is confirmed by observation of the bubble generation for a laser power

SUBMITTER: Zilio P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6062236 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature